HOTELS AND PUBLIC-HOUSES
The number of licenses decreased as rapidly as did the gold output. In 1869 there were at least 80; in 1873, 26; 1882, 8; 1903, 4 (European, Melbourne, West Coast, Welcome Inn); 1904, the Melbourne was destroyed by fire; 1905, 3 (European, West Coast, Welcome Inn); 1912, Mary Smith, licensee of West Coast Hotel died; 1913, 2 (European, Welcome Inn); 1933, License of Welcome Inn allowed to lapse; 1940, 1 (European).
In early times the pressure of competition called for much ingenuity on the part of licensees to attract trade to their respective houses, and they vied with each other in endeavours to induce patronage. Taking 1868 when the town was near its peak of prosperity, the advertisements give evidence of these efforts: “Free reading rooms,” “billiard matches,” “free singing and dancing every night,” “first-class company,” “quiet, comfortable evening,” “free wizardry exhibitions,” “free grand balls,” and so forth. The Casino de Venice, later the Theatre Royal Hotel, had a free entertainment every evening—“something fresh every night.” The Ballarat Hotel offered a “Grand Free Ball, all accordingly invited.” The Oddfellows’ Hotel advertised “A free-and-easy, every evening.” The Shamrock Hotel offered a “Grand Ball and Supper. No tickets issued. All are invited.” The Belle de Union Hotel notified a “Grand Ball. No tickets issued. All are invited.” The Racecourse Hotel and Vauxhall Gardens, kept by Frank Hall at Nine-mile Beach, offered a “Grand Free Ball. All are invited. By arrangement with the proprietors of the Nile bridge, it will be open, free of toll, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.”
Now there is but one hotel, and the town is no more!
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